Vibration-canceling mechanism and head gimbal assembly with the vibration-canceling mechanism

ABSTRACT

A vibration-canceling mechanism includes a vibration transfer member of a plane shape inserted between a vibration-origination system having at least one resonance frequency and an object to which a vibration is applied from the vibration-origination system. The vibration transfer member has a resonance frequency equal to or near the at least one resonance frequency of the vibration-origination system. A center of one end section of the vibration transfer member is coupled by a single arm section to a center of the other end section of the vibration transfer member. The one end section of the vibration transfer member is fixed to the vibration-origination system and the other end section of the vibration transfer member is fixed to the object so that an apparent vibration of the object is substantially canceled by a resonance of the vibration transfer member.

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/179,209 filed Jun. 26, 2002, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a vibration-canceling mechanismfor an object subjected to a mechanical vibration, and to a head gimbalassembly (HGA) with the vibration-canceling mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] In a magnetic disk drive apparatus, thin-film magnetic headelements for writing magnetic information into and/or reading magneticinformation from magnetic disks are in general formed on magnetic headsliders flying in operation above the rotating magnetic disks. Thesliders are supported at top end sections of suspensions of HGAs,respectively.

[0004] In operation, the HGA and therefore the magnetic head slider aredriven or swung along a radial direction of the magnetic disk(track-width direction) by an actuator called as a voice coil motor(VCM), and thus a position of the magnetic head element with respect toa track in the magnetic disk is controlled.

[0005] The actuator, a drive arm coupled to the actuator and asuspension have inherent resonance characteristics with resonancefrequencies different from each other, respectively. Thus, to themagnetic head slider attached at the top end section of the suspension,a mechanical vibration modified by a composite characteristic of theseinherent resonance characteristics will be transferred.

[0006] In order to suppress such mechanical vibration modified by thecomposite resonance characteristic, conventionally, a resonance peak ofan electrical drive signal was suppressed by at least one multi-stagefilter mounted in a servo circuit of the actuator.

[0007] However, because such electrical vibration-suppressing methodneeded to provide the multi-stage filter, the servo circuit wascomplicated in configuration and thus the manufacturing cost increased.Also, since the mechanical vibration was suppressed by the electricalmeans not directly by a mechanical means, an efficiency for suppressionwas extremely low.

[0008] The suspension has in general a torsion mode resonance other thana lateral direction resonance in directions perpendicular to an axis ina plane of the suspension. A lateral component of the torsion moderesonance may often produce an off-track of the magnetic head element.Thus, the standard of the suspension severely limits an allowableamplitude of the lateral direction vibration. Due to this limitation ofthe lateral vibration amplitude, it is necessary to strictly manage thefabrication process for forming the shape of the suspension. In otherwords, it is very important to reduce a lateral component amplitude of atorsion mode resonance when designing a suspension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide avibration-canceling mechanism and an HGA with the vibration canceling,whereby a mechanical vibration applied to an object can be suppressedwith efficiency without greatly changing a conventional structure of theHGA.

[0010] Another aim of the present invention is to provide avibration-canceling mechanism and an HGA with the vibration canceling,whereby a lateral component amplitude due to a torsion mode resonancecan be effectively suppressed.

[0011] Further aim of the present invention is to provide avibration-canceling mechanism and an HGA with the vibration canceling,whereby a configuration of a servo circuit of an actuator can besimplified.

[0012] According to the present invention, a vibration-cancelingmechanism includes a vibration transfer member of a plane shape insertedbetween a vibration-origination system having at least one resonancefrequency and an object to which a vibration is applied from thevibration-origination system. The vibration transfer member has aresonance frequency equal to or near the at least one resonancefrequency of the vibration-origination system. A center of one endsection of the vibration transfer member is coupled by a single armsection to a center of the other end section of the vibration transfermember. The one end section of the vibration transfer member is fixed tothe vibration-origination system and the other end section of thevibration transfer member is fixed to the object so that an apparentvibration of the object is substantially canceled by a resonance of thevibration transfer member.

[0013] When the vibration-origination system resonates, the vibrationtransfer member also resonates. The one end section of the vibrationtransfer member vibrates in phase with the vibration-origination systembut the other end section of the vibration transfer member vibrates insubstantially inverted phase or deviated phase as thevibration-origination system. Therefore, the vibration transfer memberoperates so as to move a position of the object back to its originalposition that will be positioned when no resonance occurs, resulting theapparent vibration of the object to cancel.

[0014] As aforementioned, according to the present invention, only byadditionally attaching the vibration transfer member with a simplestructure, the mechanical vibration can be extremely effectivelycanceled without greatly changing a conventional structure of the HGA.Also, since a configuration of a servo circuit of the actuator can besimplified, a manufacturing cost of the magnetic disk drive apparatuscan be reduced.

[0015] Also, since the vibration transfer member is configured in aplane shape, no bending process is needed and its characteristics can beadjusted only by executing a photo-etching process. Thus, a fabricationof the vibration transfer member can become very easy and also extremelyhigh precision can be expected. The latter will present the minimumvariation in the characteristics caused by a dimensional error.

[0016] Particularly, according to the present invention, because acenter of one end section of the vibration transfer member is coupled bya single arm section to a center of the other end section of thevibration transfer member, not only an amplitude of a resonance mode forvibrating the object in lateral directions but also an amplitude of alateral direction component of the torsion mode resonance can beeffectively suppressed.

[0017] It is preferred that the vibration-canceling mechanism furtherincludes a first damper layer provided between the other end section ofthe vibration transfer member and the vibration-origination system, forattenuating the vibration of the object. To the both surfaces of thefirst damper layer, vibrations of substantially inverted phase ordeviated phase with each other are applied from thevibration-origination system and the vibration transfer member,respectively. Thus the first damper layer operates to restrict anexcessive inverse-movement of the vibration transfer member so as toattenuate the amplitude of the vibration, and therefore the vibration ofthe object fixed to the other end section of the vibration transfermember is attenuated.

[0018] It is also preferred that the vibration-canceling mechanismfurther includes a second damper layer provided between the one endsection of the vibration transfer member and the object, for attenuatingthe vibration of the object.

[0019] Preferably, the first and/or second damper layer is formed by aflexible resin adhesive adhered to the vibration transfer member and tothe vibration-origination system.

[0020] Also it is preferred that the vibration-canceling mechanism isconfigured to apply a load in an up-and-down direction to the firstand/or second damper layer. By applying the load, the damping effect ofthe damping layer will increase. The resonance frequency of a systemconsisting of the vibration transfer member and the damper layer variesdepending upon a level of the applied load.

[0021] It is preferred that the vibration-origination system is asupport member including a suspension, and that the object is a headslider with at least one head element attached to a top end section ofthe suspension.

[0022] It is further preferred that the head slider is fixed to onesurface of the vibration transfer member and the suspension is fixed tothe other surface of the vibration transfer. Since the first damperlayer is provided between the other end section of the vibrationtransfer member and the suspension, a gap space for inserting anadhesive can be automatically obtained between the vibration transfermember and the suspension. This results extremely easy assembling of thevibration transfer member with the suspension. Also, if the seconddamper layer is provided between the one end section of the vibrationtransfer member and the head slider, a gap space for inserting anadhesive can be automatically obtained between the vibration transfermember and the head slider. This results extremely easy assembling ofthe vibration transfer member with the head slider.

[0023] It is preferred that the head slider has a surface opposite toits air bearing surface (ABS), and that the vibration transfer memberconsists of a plane metal plate substantialiy in parallel with thesurface opposite to the ABS.

[0024] It is also preferred that vibration transfer member includes thesingle arm section, the one end section a center of which is connectedone end of the arm section and the other end section a center of whichis connected the other end of the arm section.

[0025] It is further preferred that each of the one end section and theother end section has a plane rectangular shape.

[0026] It is further preferred that the at least one head element is atleast one thin-film magnetic head element.

[0027] According to the present invention, furthermore, an HGA includesa head slider provided with at least one head element, a support memberincluding a suspension and having at least one resonance frequency, anda vibration transfer member of a plane shape inserted between thesuspension and the head slider to which a vibration is applied from thesupport member. The vibration transfer member has a resonance frequencyequal to or near the at least one resonance frequency of the supportmember. A center of rear end section of the vibration transfer member iscoupled by a single arm section to a center of a top end section of thevibration transfer member. The rear end section of the vibrationtransfer member is fixed to the suspension and the top end section ofthe vibration transfer member is fixed to the head slider so that anapparent vibration of the head slider is substantially canceled by aresonance of the vibration transfer member.

[0028] When the suspension (load beam) resonates to vibrate the flexure,the vibration transfer member also resonates. The rear end section ofthe vibration transfer member vibrates in phase with the flexure but thetop end section of the vibration transfer member vibrates insubstantially inverted phase or deviated phase as the flexure.Therefore, the vibration transfer member operates so as to move aposition of the head slider back to its original position that will bepositioned when no resonance occurs, resulting the apparent vibration ofthe head slider to cancel.

[0029] As aforementioned, according to the present invention, only byadditionally attaching the vibration transfer member with a simplestructure, the mechanical vibration can be extremely effectivelycanceled without greatly changing a conventional structure of the HGA.Also, since a configuration of a servo circuit of the actuator can besimplified, a manufacturing cost of the magnetic disk drive apparatuscan be reduced.

[0030] Also, since the vibration transfer member is configured in aplane shape, no bending process is needed and its characteristics can beadjusted only by executing a photo-etching process. Thus, a fabricationof the vibration transfer member can become very easy and also extremelyhigh precision can be expected. The latter will present the minimumvariation in the characteristics caused by a dimensional error.

[0031] Particularly, according to the present invention, because acenter of one end section of the vibration transfer member is coupled bya single arm section to a center of the other end section of thevibration transfer member, not only an amplitude of a resonance mode forvibrating the object in lateral directions but also an amplitude of alateral direction component of the torsion mode resonance can beeffectively suppressed.

[0032] It is preferred that the HGA further includes a first damperlayer provided between the top end section of the vibration transfermember and the suspension, for attenuating the vibration of the headslider. To the both surfaces of the first damper layer, vibrations ofsubstantially inverted phase or deviated phase with each other areapplied from the flexure and the vibration transfer member,respectively. Thus the first damper layer operates to restrict anexcessive inverse-movement of the vibration transfer member so as toattenuate the amplitude of the vibration, and therefore the vibration ofthe head slider fixed to the top end section of the vibration transfermember is attenuated.

[0033] It is preferred that the HGA further includes a second damperlayer provided between the rear end section of the vibration transfermember and the head slider, for attenuating the vibration of the headslider.

[0034] It is also preferred that the first and/or second damper layer isformed by a flexible resin adhesive adhered to the vibration transfermember and to the suspension.

[0035] It is further preferred that the HGA is configured to apply aload in an up-and-down direction to the first and/or second damperlayer. In the actual HGA, a load from the suspension is applied to thevibration transfer member and a resistance force from the recoding diskis applied to the head slider. Thus, forces in up-and-down directionsare applied to the damper layer, and therefore the damping effect of thedamping layer increases. The resonance frequency of a system consistingof the vibration transfer member and the damper layer varies dependingupon a level of the applied load.

[0036] It is preferred that the head slider is fixed to one surface ofthe vibration transfer member and the suspension is fixed to the othersurface of the vibration transfer member. Since the first damper layeris provided between the top end section of the vibration transfer memberand the suspension, a gap space for inserting an adhesive can beautomatically obtained between the vibration transfer member and thesuspension. This results extremely easy assembling of the vibrationtransfer member with the suspension. Also, if the second damper layer isprovided between the rear end section of the vibration transfer memberand the head slider, a gap space for inserting an adhesive can beautomatically obtained between the vibration transfer member and thehead slider. This results extremely easy assembling of the vibrationtransfer member with the head slider.

[0037] It is preferred that the head slider has a surface opposite toits ABS, and that the vibration transfer member consists of a planemetal plate substantially in parallel with the surface opposite to theABS.

[0038] It is also preferred that vibration transfer member includes thesingle arm section, the one end section a center of which is connectedone end of the arm section and the other end section a center of whichis connected the other end of the arm section.

[0039] It is further preferred that each of the one end section and theother end section has a plane rectangular shape.

[0040] It is still further preferred that the at least one head elementis at least one thin-film magnetic head element.

[0041] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments ofthe invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042]FIG. 1 is an oblique view schematically illustrating maincomponents of a magnetic disk drive apparatus in a preferred embodimentaccording to the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 2 is an oblique view illustrating the whole structure of anHGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0044]FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view illustrating an enlarged topend section of the HGA, namely a flexure, a vibration transfer memberand a magnetic head slider, in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0045]FIG. 4 is an exploded oblique view illustrating the enlarged topend section of the HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1, seen from adifferent direction from FIG. 3;

[0046]FIG. 5 is an exploded oblique view illustrating the enlarged topend section of the HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1, seen from adifferent direction from FIG. 3;

[0047]FIG. 6 is an exploded side view illustrating the enlarged top endsection of the HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 7 is an oblique view illustrating the enlarged top endsection of the HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0049]FIG. 8 is an oblique view illustrating the enlarged top endsection of the HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1, seen from a differentdirection from FIG. 7;

[0050]FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the enlarged top end section ofthe HGA in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0051]FIG. 10 is a plane view used for illustrating why a mechanicalvibration is cancelled in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0052]FIG. 11 is a side view used for illustrating why a mechanicalvibration is cancelled in the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0053]FIG. 12 is an exploded oblique view illustrating an enlarged topend section of an HGA in another embodiment according to the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054]FIG. 1 illustrates main components of a magnetic disk driveapparatus in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention,FIG. 2 illustrates the whole structure of an HGA in this embodiment,FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged top end section of the HGA in thisembodiment, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the enlarged top end section of theHGA in this embodiment, seen from a different direction from FIG. 3,FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the enlarged top end section of the HGA in thisembodiment, FIG. 8 illustrates the enlarged top end section of the HGAin this embodiment, seen from a different direction from FIG. 7, andFIG. 9 illustrates the enlarged top end section of the HGA in thisembodiment.

[0055] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a plurality of magnetichard disks rotating around an axis 11, and 12 denotes an assemblycarriage device for positioning each magnetic head element on a track ofeach disk. The assembly carriage device 12 is mainly constituted by acarriage 14 capable of rotating around an axis 13 and an actuator 15such as for example a VCM for driving the carriage 14 to rotate.

[0056] Base sections at one ends of a plurality of drive arms 16 stackedalong the axis 13 are attached to the carriage 14, and one or two HGAs17 are mounted on a top section at the other end of each arm 16. Each ofthe HGAs 17 has a magnetic head slider mounted at its top end section sothat the slider opposes to one surface (recording and reproducingsurface) of each of the magnetic disks 10.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the HGA is assembled by fixing a vibrationtransfer member 21 to which a magnetic head slider 22 with a thin-filmmagnetic head element 22 d (FIGS. 3 and 4) is fixed, to a top endsection of a suspension 20. Namely, the magnetic head slider 22 isindirectly coupled with the suspension 20 through the vibration transfermember 21.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 3-9, the magnetic head slider 22 has a rear endsurface 22 a on which the thin-film magnetic head element 22 d isformed, an ABS 22 b and a surface 22 c opposite to the ABS 22 b. Thisopposite surface 22 c is tightly fixed to the vibration transfer member21.

[0059] The suspension 20 is substantially formed by a resilient flexure23, a load beam 24 supporting a rear end section of this flexure 23, anda base plate 25 fixed to the load beam 24.

[0060] The flexure 23 has at its top end section a flexible tongue 23 a(FIGS. 3-9) provided with a proper stiffness and depressed by a dimple(not shown) formed on the load beam 24. Onto the tongue 23 a, fixed is arear coupling section 21 a (FIG. 3) of the vibration transfer member 21.

[0061] The flexure 23 has elasticity for supporting flexibly themagnetic head slider 22 through the vibration transfer member 21 by thistongue 23 a. This flexure 23 is made of in this embodiment a stainlesssteel plate (for example SUS304TA) with a thickness of about 20 μm.

[0062] The load beam 24 is made of in this embodiment a stainless steelplate with a thickness of about 60 μm, and fixed to the flexure 23 atits rear end section. The fixing of the load beam 24 with the flexure 23is performed also by pinpoint welding at a plurality of points.

[0063] The base plate 25 to be attached to the drive arm 16 shown inFIG. 1 is made of in this embodiment a stainless steel or iron platewith a thickness of about 150 μm. This base plate 25 is fixed to a basesection of the load beam 24 by welding.

[0064] On the flexure 23 and the load beam 24, flexible conductormembers each including a plurality of trace conductors of a thin-filmmulti-layered pattern are formed or disposed. However, as the presentinvention does not directly concern these components, they are omittedin the drawings.

[0065] It is apparent that a structure of the suspension of the HGA,according to the present invention is not limited to the aforementionedone. Although it is not shown, a head drive IC chip may be mounted on amiddle of the suspension 20.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3-9, cutting out and/or patterning a singleplane metal plate member form the vibration transfer member 21 in thisembodiment. Namely, by executing patterning such as a photo-etching forexample of the metal plate member, a plane vibration transfer member 21with a rectangular rear end coupling section 21 a, a rectangular top endcoupling section 21 b and a single arm section 21 c coupling the centersof the coupling sections 21 a and 21 b is formed. The arm section 21 ccan freely move not only in lateral directions but also in a torsionaldirection without contact to the magnetic head slider 22 and also to theflexure 23.

[0067] The metal plate for the vibration transfer member 21 in thisembodiment is made of a stainless steel and has a thickness of about10-100 μm. As for the metal plate, any metal material plate such as azirconia plate, a beryllium copper plate, an aluminum plate, a titaniumplate, another metal plate or an alloy plate may be used other than thestainless steel plate.

[0068] An upper surface of the rear end coupling section 21 a of thevibration transfer member 21 is tightly fixed to a lower surface of thetongue 23 a of the flexure 23 by an adhesive 26, and a lower surface ofthe top end coupling section 21 b is also tightly fixed to the oppositesurface 22 c of the magnetic head slider 22 by an adhesive 27. Thus, themagnetic head slider 22 is coupled to the flexure 23 through thevibration transfer member 21. As for the adhesive 26 and 27, a curedtype adhesive such as for example an epoxy base or UV-cured adhesive maybe used.

[0069] An upper surface of the top end coupling section 21 b of thevibration transfer member 21 is fixed to a top end section of theflexure 23, namely a base section of the tongue 23 a, by a soft orflexible adhesive that functions as a damping layer 28. As for theflexible adhesive 28, a resin adhesive such as a urethane-rubber base oracryl base pressure-sensitive adhesive for example may be used. Thusformed damping layer 28 can effectively attenuate amplitude of lateralvibrations of the magnetic head slider 22 due to a resonance in thelateral direction of the suspension.

[0070]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate why a mechanical vibration is cancelledin this embodiment. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates in detail asystem 102 shown in FIG. 10.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, when the actuator and the drive arm 16connected to the actuator mechanically vibrate at a frequency f, theload beam 24 resonates at a resonance frequency f and a vibration 101 intrack-width directions appeared at the top end of the load beam 24 isapplied to the system 102 connected with this vibration-originationsystem 100. In the system 102 shown in FIG. 11, this lateral vibration101 is first applied to the flexure 23. However, because a resonancefrequency of the flexure 23 is sufficiently higher than the frequency fof the vibration, the flexure 23 will not resonate. Therefore, theflexure 23 in regions 110 and 111 will vibrate with the same phase.Here, the top end section of the vibration transfer member 21 positionsin the region 110 and the rear end section of the vibration transfermember 21 positions in the region 111.

[0072] This vibration transfer member 21 fixed to the flexure 23 in theregion 111 will receive the vibration from the flexure 23 and vibratewith the same phase as the flexure 23. A resonance frequency of thevibration transfer member 21 itself is set to just or near the frequencyf. Thus, when the vibration at the frequency f is applied from theflexure 23, this vibration transfer member 21 will resonate. Because ofthe resonance, a vibration at the top end section of the vibrationtransfer member 21 in a region 112 will have an inverted phase as thatof the flexure 23 in the region 110. Therefore, the vibration transfermember 21 will operate so as to move a position of the magnetic headslider 22 fixed to the vibration transfer member 21 in the region 112back to its original position that will be positioned when no resonanceoccurs resulting the apparent vibration of the magnetic head slider 22to cancel.

[0073] In this embodiment, also, the damping layer 28 operates toattenuate the vibration amplitude of the magnetic head slider 22.Namely, since the flexure 23 in the region 110 and the vibrationtransfer member 21 in the region 112 which sandwich the damping layer 28move in reverse directions and provide resistances with each other, thevibration amplitude of the vibration transfer member 21 or the magnetichead slider 22 will be attenuated. This attenuation of the amplitudewill be established in a frequency range near the resonance frequency,in which phases of both the vibrations are inverted to or deviate fromeach other.

[0074] It is desired to apply a load or loads in up-and-down directionsto the damping layer 28. In fact, in the actual HGA, a load from theflexure 23 is applied to the vibration transfer member 21 and aresistance force from the recoding disk is applied to the magnetic headslider 22. Thus, forces in up-and-down directions are applied to thedamper layer 28. By applying the forces, the damping effect of thisdamping layer 28 will increase.

[0075] As in this embodiment, even if the vibration transfer member 21is formed by a stainless steel, a relatively low resonance frequency ofthe vibration transfer member 21, which is substantially equal to aswaying mode frequency of the HGA, can be attained by arranging thisvibration transfer member 21 in a top-and-rear direction that isperpendicular to the direction of the applied vibration and byappropriately adjusting a length and a thickness of the vibrationtransfer member 21.

[0076] As aforementioned, according to this embodiment, only byadditionally attaching the vibration transfer member 21 with a simplestructure, for providing a vibration-transferring loop between thetongue 23 a of the flexure 23 and the magnetic head slider 22, themechanical vibration can be extremely effectively canceled withoutgreatly changing a conventional structure of the HGA. Also, since aconfiguration of a servo circuit of an actuator can be simplified, amanufacturing cost of the magnetic disk drive apparatus can be reduced.

[0077] The damping layer 28 in this embodiment is provided to restrictan excessive inverse-movement of the vibration transfer member 21 so asto attenuate the amplitude of the vibration. Thus, providing of thisdamping layer is not a necessary condition of the present invention.However, if the damping layer is provided, not only the vibrationamplitude of the magnetic head slider 22 can be effectively attenuated,but also a gap space for inserting an adhesive can be automaticallyobtained between the rear end coupling section 21 a of the vibrationtransfer member 21 and the flexure 23 resulting extremely easyassembling of the vibration transfer member 21 with the flexure 23.

[0078] Since the vibration transfer member 21 is configured in a planeshape, no bending process is needed and its characteristics can beadjusted only by executing a photo-etching process. Thus, a fabricationof the vibration transfer member can become very easy and also extremelyhigh precision can be expected. The latter will present the minimumvariation in the characteristics caused by a dimensional error.Furthermore, since the top and rear end sections of the vibrationtransfer member 21 are fixed by the adhesive, shock resistances in boththis longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction increase. As aresult, it is possible to shape the vibration member 21 in a thin andnarrow slit shape as a longitudinally arranged plate spring.

[0079] Particularly, according to the present invention, since thevibration transfer member 21 has a structure with the single arm section21 c coupled between the centers of the coupling sections 21 a and 21 b,not only an amplitude of a resonance mode for vibrating the magnetichead slider in lateral directions but also an amplitude of a lateraldirection component of the torsion mode resonance can be effectivelysuppressed.

[0080]FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged top end section of an HGA inanother embodiment according to the present invention.

[0081] In this embodiment, a lower surface of the rear end couplingsection 21 a of the vibration transfer member 21 is fixed to the surface22 c opposite to the ABS 22 b of the magnetic head slider 22 by a softor flexible adhesive that functions as a damping layer 29. As for theflexible adhesive 29, a resin adhesive such as a urethane-rubber base oracryl base pressure-sensitive adhesive for example may be used. Sincethe slider 22 vibrates in response to the vibration of the top endsection of the vibration transfer member 21, both the resonancevibration at the rear end section of the vibration transfer member 21and the resonance vibration at the top end section of the vibrationtransfer member 21 that have phases inverted to each other or deviatedfrom each other are applied to this damper layer 29. Thus, they provideresistances with each other and then amplitude of vibrations of themagnetic head slider 22 is attenuated.

[0082] Since the damping layer 29 is provided between the rear endcoupling section 21 a of the vibration transfer member 21 and themagnetic head slider 22, a gap space for inserting an adhesive can beautomatically obtained between the vibration transfer member 21 and theslider 22 resulting extremely easy assembling of the vibration transfermember 21 with the magnetic head slider 22.

[0083] Other configurations, operations, advantages and modifications inthis embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1. Also,in this embodiment, the similar elements as those in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0084] Structure of the vibration transfer member is not limited tothose of the aforementioned embodiments. Any shaped vibration transfermember provided with a plane shape structure ready for a torsion moderesonance may be utilized.

[0085] In the aforementioned embodiments, HGAs having magnetic headsliders with thin-film magnetic head elements are described. However, itis apparent that the present invention can be applied to an HGA with ahead element such as an optical head element other than the thin-filmmagnetic head element.

[0086] Many widely different embodiments of the present invention may beconstructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments described in the specification,except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration-canceling mechanism comprising avibration transfer means of a plane shape inserted between avibration-origination system having at least one resonance frequency andan object to which a vibration is applied from saidvibration-origination system, said vibration transfer means having aresonance frequency equal to or near said at least one resonancefrequency of said vibration-origination system, a center of one endsection of said vibration transfer means being coupled by a single armsection to a center of the other end section of said vibration transfermeans, said one end section of said vibration transfer means being fixedto said vibration-origination system and said other end section of saidvibration transfer means being fixed to said object so that an apparentvibration of said object is substantially canceled by a resonance ofsaid vibration transfer means.
 2. The mechanism as claim in claim 1,wherein said mechanism further comprises a first damper layer providedbetween said other end section of said vibration transfer means and saidvibration-origination system, for attenuating the vibration of saidobject.
 3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said firstdamper layer is formed by a flexible resin adhesive adhered to saidvibration transfer means and to said vibration-origination system. 4.The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said mechanism isconfigured to apply a load in an up-and-down direction to said firstdamper layer.
 5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmechanism further comprises a second damper layer provided between saidone end section of said vibration transfer means and said object, forattenuating the vibration of said object.
 6. The mechanism as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said second damper layer is formed by a flexible resinadhesive adhered to said vibration transfer means and to said object. 7.The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mechanism isconfigured to apply a load in an up-and-down direction to said seconddamper layer.
 8. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidvibration-origination system is a support means including a suspension,and wherein said object is a head slider with at least one head elementattached to a top end section of said suspension.
 9. The mechanism asclaimed in claim 8, wherein said head slider is fixed to one surface ofsaid vibration transfer means and said suspension is fixed to the othersurface of said vibration transfer means.
 10. The mechanism as claimedin claim 8, wherein said head slider has a surface opposite to its airbearing surface, and wherein said vibration transfer means comprises aplane metal plate substantially in parallel with said surface oppositeto said air bearing surface.
 11. The mechanism as claimed in claim 8,wherein said vibration transfer means comprises said single arm section,said one end section a center of which is connected one end of said armsection and said other end section a center of which is connected theother end of said arm section.
 12. The mechanism as claimed in claim 11,wherein each of said one end section and said other end section has aplane rectangular shape.
 13. The mechanism as claimed in claim 8,wherein said at least one head element is at least one thin-filmmagnetic head element.